New Spalding Methodist minister ready to listen to people’s stories

The Rev Frances Ballantyne brings much experience to her new role in South Holland.

Firstly, the mother to two grown up children and three grandchildren has her own experience of re-evaluating the faith of her childhood.

The experience made her feel she was rebelling against that faith, and she says: “I was beginning to think I was subversive, challenging it, or it was perceived I was challenging it.”

From her years in chaplaincy Frances also brings something she says she found fascinating – listening to other people’s stories.

She says she is looking forward to “listening to individual stories and hearing where people are struggling and seeing how I can influence them to make their own decisions, and to help them in a Christian way”.

Frances, who has worked as a volunteer with Victim Support in her time, hopes to help people who are suffering by suggesting that forgiveness might resolve some of their issues.

She says: “I am trying to shift them from victim to overcomer, from surviver to thriver.”